Stanley Cup

The Canadiens won their first Stanley Cup, defeating the Portland Rosebuds of the PCHA in a best-of-five series. This was the first time a team from the NHA defeated a West Coast opponent for the Cup. Newsy Lalonde led the charge with his scoring prowess.

Montreal defeated the Vancouver Maroons in the semifinal and then swept the Calgary Tigers to claim the Cup. Howie Morenz, in his rookie season, showed flashes of the brilliance that would make him a legend. The Canadiens dominated the playoffs behind strong goaltending from Georges Vézina.

The Canadiens swept the defending champion Boston Bruins in the best-of-three final. Howie Morenz was at the peak of his powers, dazzling crowds with his speed and skill. The Habs dominated the series with superior skating and goaltending from George Hainsworth.

Montreal defended their title by defeating the Chicago Black Hawks in a hard-fought five-game series. Howie Morenz and Aurèle Joliat continued their dominant partnership, and George Hainsworth was stellar in net. The Canadiens became back-to-back champions.

The Canadiens swept the Chicago Black Hawks in dominant fashion. The legendary Punch Line of Maurice Richard, Toe Blake, and Elmer Lach dismantled every opponent. Maurice Richard had exploded with 12 playoff goals, including 5 in the semifinal against Toronto.

The Canadiens dispatched the Boston Bruins in five games to claim their sixth Stanley Cup. Elmer Lach led the playoffs in scoring, and Maurice Richard continued his postseason dominance. The Punch Line was still the best forward unit in hockey. The series-clinching goal came in overtime of Game 5.

Elmer Lach scored the Cup-winning goal in overtime of Game 5 to beat the Boston Bruins. Jacques Plante made his first notable playoff appearances in relief. Maurice Richard led the team in playoff goals as the Canadiens began building toward their dynasty years.

The start of the greatest dynasty in NHL history. Under rookie coach Toe Blake, the Canadiens demolished the Detroit Red Wings. Jean Béliveau led all scorers, and the team's depth was overwhelming. This was the first of five consecutive Stanley Cups.

The Canadiens continued their dynasty run, dispatching the Bruins in five games. Maurice Richard was magnificent in the playoffs, and the Habs' power play was virtually unstoppable. The depth and talent of this roster made them heavy favorites entering every series.

Three in a row. The Canadiens beat the Bruins again, this time in six games. Maurice Richard, now in the twilight of his career, remained a force in the playoffs. The team's system under Toe Blake was flawless, combining offensive firepower with suffocating defense.

Four straight. The Canadiens crushed the rival Toronto Maple Leafs in five games. Jacques Plante was sensational in goal, and the depth of talent was simply too much for Toronto. Marcel Bonin emerged as an unlikely playoff hero with clutch scoring.

Five in a row — a feat that may never be matched. The Canadiens swept the Maple Leafs and went 8-0 through the entire playoffs. Maurice Richard played his final games, Henri Richard stepped up as a leader, and Jean Béliveau was majestic. The greatest dynasty in NHL history was complete.

Jean Béliveau was awarded the inaugural Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The Canadiens came back from a tough seven-game series against the Black Hawks, winning the deciding Game 7 in Montreal. Béliveau's leadership and clutch scoring carried the team.

Henri Richard scored the Cup-clinching goal by diving headfirst into the crease in a controversial finish to Game 6. The goal remains one of the most debated in Stanley Cup history. Roger Crozier of Detroit won the Conn Smythe despite being on the losing side.

In the first year of NHL expansion, the Canadiens swept the expansion St. Louis Blues. The talent gap between the Original Six and expansion teams was enormous, and Montreal was dominant throughout. Jean Béliveau and the veterans led the way in what was Toe Blake's final Cup as coach.

Under first-year coach Claude Ruel, the Canadiens again swept the St. Louis Blues. Serge Savard won the Conn Smythe Trophy, becoming the first defenseman to do so. Jean Béliveau, in his twilight years, remained a dominant force. The sweep underscored Montreal's continued superiority.

Rookie goaltender Ken Dryden delivered one of the greatest upset performances in playoff history. After shocking the heavily favored Boston Bruins in the opening round, the Canadiens beat Chicago in seven games. Dryden won the Conn Smythe Trophy before he had even won the Calder Trophy as best rookie.

Scotty Bowman's first Cup as head coach. Yvan Cournoyer, 'The Roadrunner,' earned the Conn Smythe Trophy with his blazing speed and 15 playoff goals. The Canadiens beat Chicago in six games. This Cup marked the beginning of the Bowman era in Montreal.

The Canadiens swept the defending champion Broad Street Bullies to reclaim the Cup. This was the beginning of Montreal's second great dynasty. Guy Lafleur was electrifying, and the team's speed and skill overwhelmed Philadelphia's physical style. Remarkably, Reggie Leach of the Flyers won the Conn Smythe despite being swept.

Often called the greatest team in NHL history, the 1976-77 Canadiens lost only 8 games all season (60-8-12) and swept the Bruins in the final. Guy Lafleur won the Conn Smythe Trophy. The team's combination of speed, skill, toughness, and goaltending was unmatched. They went 12-2 through the entire playoffs.

Larry Robinson won the Conn Smythe Trophy with a dominant two-way performance. The Canadiens beat the Bruins again in six games for their third consecutive Cup. The team remained a juggernaut, losing only 10 regular-season games (59-10-11). Robinson's combination of size, skating, and skill was unmatched among defensemen.

The Canadiens won their fourth consecutive Cup and Scotty Bowman's fifth with the team. Bob Gainey won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his relentless two-way play, validating the importance of defensive forwards. This was the final Cup for several dynasty-era players including Jacques Lemaire and Ken Dryden, who both retired after the series.

Rookie goaltender Patrick Roy, just 20 years old, carried the Canadiens to an improbable Cup victory. Roy was sensational throughout the playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP. The Canadiens were not expected to go far but Roy's brilliance — combined with clutch contributions from veterans like Bob Gainey, Larry Robinson, and Mats Naslund — delivered the franchise's 23rd Cup.

The most recent Cup in franchise history, highlighted by a record 10 consecutive overtime victories in the playoffs. Patrick Roy was again the hero, winning his second Conn Smythe Trophy. In Game 2 of the final against Wayne Gretzky's Kings, coach Jacques Demers called for a stick measurement on Marty McSorley's blade — it was illegal, leading to a power-play goal that tied the game and shifted the series. The Canadiens won the Cup on home ice at the Montreal Forum.